A Special Umbrella Designed to Resist Stabbing Will Be Launched in November on Trains Operated by West Japan Railway Company.
According to the Straits Times on October 22, the West Japan Railway Company (JRW) has developed a special umbrella that can resist knife attacks to protect customers and staff on trains from knife-wielding assailants.
Starting in November, the company will install these umbrellas in the staff compartments of approximately 600 trains operating on regular routes in the Kinki region, including the cities of Osaka and Kyoto.
Knife-resistant umbrella by West Japan Railway Company – (Photo: ASIA NEWS NETWORK).
Each umbrella measures about 1 meter in length and has a diameter of approximately 1.1 meters when opened. Made from a special material that is difficult to cut, the umbrella can protect the user from injury during an attack.
Additionally, this umbrella is designed to be 20 cm longer than standard umbrellas to maintain a safer distance from attackers.
The supporting ribs of the umbrella are reinforced and increased in number to enhance durability, while the handle is thicker and more robust.
Weighing only 700 grams, it is significantly lighter than traditional shields and similar protective equipment. The mesh fabric allows users to see through the umbrella to observe potential attackers.
“Previous shields were familiar but quite heavy. Therefore, we developed a new protective device that is easier to use, especially for female staff,” said JRW director Kazuaki Hasegawa.
In response to a series of deadly knife attacks in Japan, JRW has equipped its trains with protective devices, including shields, stab-resistant vests, and stab-proof gloves.
However, with the new innovation of the knife-resistant umbrella, the company believes this device will provide more effective protection for passengers and staff on trains due to its ease of use.
“We will continue to strive to improve safety for passengers on our trains, especially in anticipation of the upcoming Osaka-Kansai Expo,” a JRW official shared.
Previously, passengers on trains in Japan had no defensive equipment against knife attacks other than what they carried themselves. Station staff could use acrylic shields and sasumata, a weapon originating from Japan’s feudal period, which consists of a semicircular metal head attached to a long pole, designed to subdue individuals by pinning them to the ground. Both of these options are difficult to use in the confined space of a train car. |
